AI Insight
Research indicates that frequent cannabis users exhibit elevated levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, upon waking in the morning. This elevation suggests that regular cannabis use may disrupt the body's natural daily cortisol rhythm, which typically peaks in the morning and declines throughout the day. The findings are counterintuitive given that many people use cannabis specifically for stress reduction.
Why it matters
This research challenges the common perception of cannabis as purely stress-relieving and suggests that chronic use may actually interfere with the body's natural stress regulation systems. The findings could have important implications for how medical and recreational cannabis users understand the long-term effects of frequent consumption on their physiological stress response.
Understand the Science
Frequent cannabis users may wake up with unusually high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, suggesting their daily stress rhythms could be disrupted. Researchers say the finding raises questions about whether using cannabis for stress relief might, over time, interfere with the very system that helps the body handle stress.
Source: Frequent cannabis users wake up with their “stress hormone” already elevated